It's totally the opposite at the courthouse in the big city of Los Angeles. The "public servants" there feel that they're going to get a paycheck whether or not they help you. They have a "I could care less" attitude and you, the taxpayer, will just have to wait until they're done chatting, snacking or whatever. My best courthouse experiences came from the small mid-west towns. They are not helpful at all if you make mail inquiries BUT, if you show up in person, they lead you to the room where all the documents are and turn you loose. Me and my brother had a blast at the Clarksville (county seat of Johnson, AR) going through all the documents relating to our family. Marshall, MO is another very congenial place to look for ancestors (if you have them there) and they're very knowledgeable. ~Virginia johnparrot@cox.net wrote: << Courthouse experiences. I have had an opportunity to have dealt with about a dozen or so courthouses in Virgina and Maryland, and I have yet to have a bad reception. I've read several articles about various courthouse receptions and my secret is always go in with a friendly, warm hearted attitude and that is what you get in return. I was in the Culpepper County courthouse about 10 years ago and another researcher whom I did not know really made an ass out of himself. The thing to remember employees are there to maintain official county records and documents and helping the public in genealogy research is not really part of their job description, but most do it willingly and with good natured fun if that is what is beamed toward them. Anyway, these are my thoughts. Happy hunting. John Parrott Parrott, Milliorns, Gordon, Bish, Kiser, Ott, & Tracy > > From: "Catherine" <crt@mpdu.com> > Date: 2003/12/30 Tue PM 10:08:52 EST > To: VAROOTS-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [VAROOTS] Courthouse experiences > > This young lady at the Bedford Court House is the best. I live in Maine and > she has helped me with my research so many times. That is the only court > house that I have dealt with, but I am impress by her work ethics. > catherine > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <PRogers302@aol.com> > To: <VAROOTS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 10:50 PM > Subject: [VAROOTS] Courthouse experiences > > > > I would just like to mention the Bedford VA County Courthouse. I've been > > there to research several times, and it has been a very positive > experience. The > > staff that work there are very nice and helpful, especially a young woman > named > > Karen. The Bedford Museum next door to the courthouse has a genealogy > room, > > and the staff there always goes out of their way to assist. > > > > Patricia Rogers > > Researching: Austin, White, Fridinger, Carter, Phillips and many others! >>